On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam News Agency (September 15, 1945 - September 15, 2025), Vietnamese Consul General in San Francisco (USA) Hoang Anh Tuan gave an interview to a VNA reporter in Washington, commenting on the role of the national news agency in spreading information to international friends and overseas Vietnamese.
Sharing his impressions and memories of VNA and the national news agency's information during each stage of the country's development, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized that VNA is not only a national information agency, but also a part of the memories associated with the growth of modern Vietnamese diplomacy .
Since he was a researcher and then Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies of the Diplomatic Academy, he has closely followed news, analysis, and documents provided by VNA, especially Special Reference News.
During the period of strong national integration after Doi Moi, VNA's information has helped researchers, policy makers and diplomats have a source of official, reliable and timely data.
During his tenure as Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia (2015-2018), Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan had the opportunity to work directly with a number of resident reporters of VNA. He still clearly remembers journalist Do Quyen, a dedicated reporter who accompanied him in many major events: from high-level visits, local business trips, international conferences to community activities of the Embassy. Each news bulletin and reportage she made not only provided objective news but also conveyed the cultural depth and sentiments of friends from the "island country." For Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan, it was a beautiful memory, a testament to VNA's role as a companion in foreign affairs activities.
According to the Consul General, while in the country, he continued to have many opportunities to be interviewed by VNews TV channel, especially in the World 360 Degree commentary program. Those interviews and commentary programs created a feeling of both closeness and professionalism. He missed his colleagues such as journalist Hoang Minh Nga, journalist Tran Phuong Ha, journalist Thai Binh - young, dynamic faces, reminding him of the enduring tradition of a national news agency, both maintaining its identity and constantly innovating.
Commenting on how VNA promotes its role as a national news agency, especially in spreading the official voice and image of Vietnam to international friends, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan said that at the national level, VNA is the official voice, reflecting Vietnam's stance and viewpoints on international and regional issues.
According to him, the most valuable thing is VNA's ability to convey the country's message transparently and accurately in the context of a volatile and sometimes complicated global media environment.
During his career in diplomacy and international research, Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan has witnessed VNA reporters being present at hot spots many times, promptly reporting news not only in writing but also through images, clips, and reports.
In Indonesia, during ASEAN and APEC conferences or important foreign affairs activities, VNA reporters are always at the forefront to record the moments when Vietnamese leaders speak, sign agreements, and shake hands with international partners. This is not only a job, but also a job to preserve the national image.
In the US today, that role is even more evident. In the context of Vietnam-US relations entering a new phase with many opportunities and challenges, VNA news reports from the US, at home and abroad all contribute to highlighting an image of a confident, innovative, responsible and integrated Vietnam. These news reports not only reach international friends but also spread within the overseas Vietnamese community, creating strong connections and consensus.
VNA does not simply report news but also explains and raises issues in a volatile context, reflecting the truth with high accuracy and reliability. This is the important difference, helping VNA's information become a reliable reference source for the international press.
Assessing the role of VNA in connecting overseas Vietnamese with their homeland, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan said that in recent years, he has had the opportunity to meet many generations of Vietnamese in the US, from successful businessmen in Silicon Valley, intellectuals teaching at universities, to overseas Vietnamese families who have been attached to their homeland for decades. For them, official information from Vietnam is of great significance. VNA plays a bridging role, helping overseas Vietnamese not only know the situation of the country but also understand more deeply the efforts to develop, integrate and protect sovereignty .
Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan has attended many community events in San Francisco, Seattle or Los Angeles, where overseas Vietnamese shared that they follow VNews channel to update on Vietnam's foreign policy and socio-economic achievements. They feel close and trust it because it is an official voice, not distorted by false information on social networks.
When the Embassy and Consulate organize cultural, foreign affairs and people's diplomacy activities, VNA always reports regularly and promptly. Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan's colleagues in locations such as Washington, New York City and Houston all have similar shares. This further affirms the high connection of VNA with foreign affairs activities in the area.
News and reports about overseas Vietnamese in the US published on VNews, Tin Tuc and VietnamPlus not only honor the community but also send a clear message: no matter where they are, Vietnamese people are always an inseparable part of the nation. As Consul General, Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan considers this a valuable companion, contributing to building the community's trust and attachment to the homeland.
According to Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan, the world is entering the digital age with unprecedented information speed. With VNA, he sees a clear transformation. From a traditional news agency, VNA has now become a multi-platform media complex, strongly developing television channels, electronic newspapers, and social networks. The international commentary program VNews 360 degrees is a vivid example: it both quickly conveys global events and creates a space for in-depth analysis and dialogue.
The opportunities for VNA are enormous. Digital technology helps information transcend all geographical boundaries, bringing the Vietnamese voice to the global public. This is the foundation for promoting the image of a reformed country, a creative and responsible Vietnam. However, the challenges are not small. That is fierce competition with social networks, with major international news agencies; the risk of fake news, false news spreading quickly, disrupting information.
According to the Consul General, VNA needs to continue to maintain its identity: honesty, objectivity, and authenticity. At the same time, it needs to boldly innovate in its approach, applying artificial intelligence, big data, and digital technology to improve quality and speed. In addition, the human element is indispensable - dedicated, creative reporters who are committed to hot spots and ready to bring the truth to the public.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of VNA, on behalf of the Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan sent warm congratulations to all leaders, reporters, editors and staff of VNA through generations.
He expressed his belief that with 80 years of experience and a spirit of innovation, VNA will continue to affirm its role as the leading national news agency, the official voice of the country, and a solid bridge between Vietnam and international friends and overseas Vietnamese around the world./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/80-nam-ttxvn-cau-noi-vung-chac-giua-viet-nam-voi-kieu-bao-va-ban-be-quoc-te-post1061248.vnp
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